Design Shanghai 2026: Asia’s Premier Design Event

Design Shanghai, Asia’s leading international design event, is set to open its thirteenth edition from March 19-22, 2026, in the historic Shanghai Exhibition Centre, where it first launched in 2014. The fair, aiming to be its most ambitious yet, will explore the vital role of nature in the future of design.

The 2026 fair will welcome more than 500 design brands representing over 20 countries and regions, building on the momentum of the 2025 edition which attracted over 76,000 visitors. This year’s program spans four comprehensive sectors: Furniture & Lighting, Kitchen, Bathroom & Systems Design, New Materials & Applications, and Living & Lifestyle, creating a cross-disciplinary showcase that bridges nature, craftsmanship, and human-centered thinking.

The exhibitor lineup reflects a nuanced dialogue between global and Chinese design excellence. International heavyweights include French contemporary classics from Roche Bobois, Lasvit’s sculptural glass lighting, and Scandinavian minimalism from VIPP and Reflections Copenhagen. European heritage brands Villeroy & Boch and Liebherr anchor the lifestyle innovations, while Belgian Baobab Collection contributes sculptural scented objects. From China, SHANG XIA expresses maison-style luxury, FNJI and PUSU showcase material-driven contemporary design, and LEEDARSON bridges lighting with smart technology. “As we enter our thirteenth year, we have come to appreciate that design’s true value lies not in grand statements, but in its ability to resonate with people, bringing comfort, inclusivity, and a better quality of life. At Design Shanghai, we aim to respond to genuine needs, exploring, with the public, new ways of living that are high-quality and in harmony with nature. We also hope to help Chinese design step confidently onto a broader global stage. Next March, as spring arrives, we look forward to the beautiful transformations that design will inspire, states Zhuo Tan, Show Director, Design Shanghai

Spotlight on Emerging Talent

The TALENTS program, now in its sixth edition and curated by renowned designer Frank Chou, explores the theme “About Time,” inviting ten designers under 35 to examine time’s multidimensional meanings. Highlights include Yilu Studio’s innovative parachute-shaped PVC lighting system, Yin Dahua’s striking copper and oak coffee table, and Yuya Zhou’s bio-plastic table lamps with fiber optics. The program continues its mentor system featuring global industry veterans, and the 4th TALENTS AWARD will honor emerging designers across business, art, and conceptual categories.

Celebrating Craft and Innovation

Made in JDZ, curated by designer Ryan Ran, returns with the theme “Craft on the Stage,” exploring how traditional craftsmanship from Jingdezhen—China’s historic porcelain capital—steps into fashion and everyday life. The program features diverse studios including NEARBY, Handiceramics, and XISHANGTAOSHE, showcasing ceramics, metalwork, and lacquer art through a contemporary lens.

Beyond Craft highlights traditional Asian techniques including Nishijin-ori weaving, gold leaf application, and washi paper craftsmanship through works from over ten brands. Participating studios include Japan’s Kyoraku Kougei and Lucent, alongside Yamato Asia Colour Trend Book and Kubo Paper Studio, demonstrating how heritage techniques evolve in today’s design landscape.

New Additions and Interactive Experiences

Among the exciting new features is “A Courtyard in the City,” a collaboration with Sanqingshan Cuiwei Hotel designed by Shen Baohong. This large-scale outdoor installation reinterprets the traditional Chinese siheyuan courtyard within the Exhibition Centre’s historic Russian neoclassical architecture, featuring furniture from Italian brand Ethimo and Chinese brand U+.

Materials expert Chris Lefteri returns with the interactive “Materials First” lab, offering three sections—”Digital Speckles,” “Colour Distortion,” and “Pattern Twist”—where visitors can experiment with lenticular films and color filters to explore material transformation.

The program extends beyond the venue through “Design in the City” (March 5-22), featuring over 20 interactive experiences across 100+ creative locations throughout Shanghai, with regional ambassadors guiding the public through the city’s design landscape.

Two major conferences anchor the intellectual program: the KOHLER · Design Shanghai Global Design Conference exploring “Beyond Sustainability: Designing with Nature,” and the CMF Conference centered on “VITALITY,” examining how design becomes the foundation for confidence in daily life.

Design Shanghai opens on March 19th and runs through March 22, 2026.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: Design Shanghai.